Hand Safety Handbook

How to Conduct a PPE Trial A glove trial is the process of field testing different models of safety gloves, either from a single source or from several

Where is the job being performed? Identify details that will have an impact on glove selection based on where your employees are doing the majority of their work. What is the climate? Is it an excessively hot or cold environment? Does the environment change based on the season, or does it stay fairly constant throughout the year? Are there potential grip issues? Grip can be affected by mud, oils, cleaning fluids, and other workplace substances. Poor grip can lead to increased hazards from dropped tools and knives, in addition to increased fatigue and strain. A glove must be designed to offer a good grip for the application, with the palm material providing appropriate grip characteristics. What is the temperature of materials being handled? Do workers regularly handle tools or parts that are extremely hot or cold? This can affect glove properties such as grip, protection, and durability. Are there any corrosive materials? Consider whether there are fluids like solvent or acids present that could break down the glove fibers or coating. 2. Identify the Common Applications The key to finding the right glove for the job is to look at the applications and tasks that are representative of most of the work being done. Select a glove that offers the necessary levels of comfort, protection, and dexterity for the most common, day-to-day tasks. Although it is tempting to look for a one-glove solution, the reality is that a single glove can almost never meet all needs. If you outfit your entire workforce with a glove that is suited only to the easiest job, the most hazardous task, or the application that only occurs once a week or once a month, it may provide too little protection – or too much – for the work they’re doing every day. This will have a negative impact on glove compliance, safety outcomes, and the overall effectiveness of your hand safety program. If necessary, offer a different glove for use with an extreme or unusual task. Most of the time it is best for workers, and for hand safety programs, to use a glove that offers the right level of protection for the work performed most often.

manufacturers, in order to identify the best glove for a particular job. When done correctly, the benefits of a glove trial include: • Improved hand safety program and equipment; reduced rate of injuries • Increased awareness of hand safety issues among workers • Higher rates of compliance with hand safety PPE requirements • Reduction in costs related to hand protection through increased efficiency and durability of work gloves, or reduced insurance rates, medical costs, and workers’ compensation claims When you begin a glove trial, it is important to consider as many application-specific issues as possible. Answer these questions in detail: What hazards are present? Do a thorough assessment and make a list of all existing and potential hazards. These may include metal, glass, wood, sawing or cutting tools, blades or knives, wire, needles, hammers, scaffolding joints, pipes, insulation, connections, etc. Are there cut hazards in the form of long, sharp edges? What about possible pinch and smash injuries from dropped tools, rocks, pipes, etc.? How much protection is needed? Gloves may need to be cut level 5 to provide sufficient protection, or you may only need a cut level 4 or less. If there are impact hazards, you’ll need a glove with back-of- hand impact protection. Some applications require heat resistance, anti-vibration padding, or chemical-exposure protection. What kind of dexterity is required? Do your workers require a high level of tactile sensitivity in order to do their jobs? Will they be picking up small parts or handling sheets of plywood or steel beams? Dexterity needed on the job must be taken into account in glove selection, especially if workers are removing their gloves to complete high-dexterity tasks. 1. Assess the Hazards and Work Environment

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